Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Superintendent of Schools

(860) 695-8401
Superintendent@hartfordschools.org
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Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez is the Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools, one of the largest and most diverse districts in Connecticut. Hartford Public School families speak a total of 85 languages, and 22% of students are Multilingual Learners. Born in Puerto Rico, Dr. Torres-Rodriguez moved to Hartford as a multilingual learner at the age of nine and is a product of Hartford Public High School. She has served as an education leader in Greater Hartford for over two decades.

Upon her appointment as Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools in 2017, Dr. Torres-Rodriguez’s first tasks included reimagining the district and securing $245 million in capital improvement funding for restructuring. This collaborative process supported the creation of two new campuses with shared learning space between magnet and neighborhood schools. Restructuring the district alleviated some of the systemic inequities in Hartford’s education system by providing equal access to resources, tools and learning opportunities for each school. Under Dr. Torres-Rodriguez’s leadership, and in partnership with the Board of Education, the district implemented an equity-centered budget formula resulting in additional resources to schools with Multilingual Learners. From 2017, her first year as Superintendent, to 2021, the four-year graduation rate for multilingual learners increased by more than 10 percentage points.

In her mission to serve the ‘Whole Student,’ Dr. Torres-Rodriguez implemented authentic partnerships with Hartford’s families and communities. The expansion of Hartford Public School’s Community Schools Model from seven to seventeen schools under her guidance has ensured a strong connection with family and community organizations, reflecting local needs and assets, rethinking relationships based on trust and respect, and implementing a shared vision of student and school success.

Dr. Torres-Rodriguez has received local and national recognition for her work as a leader in education. Most recently, she was the recipient of the 2022 Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) Latino Superintendent of the Year Award. She was also the recipient of the 2019 Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (CALAS) Award for Educational Leadership, the 2019 National Brillante Award for Educational Excellence from Prospanica, and she was featured in “Women of Distinction” by Hartford Magazine in December 2019. She is a graduate of The Broad Academy Fellowship for Urban Superintendents, and is currently a Pahara Institute Fellow. Dr. Torres-Rodriguez serves on the Trinity College Board of Trustees and the Hartford Promise Board, co-chairs the Mayor’s Cabinet for Young Children in Hartford, and is a member of the Governor’s Workforce Council.

Prior to her appointment as Superintendent, Dr. Torres-Rodriguez was Acting Superintendent and the Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Leadership at Hartford Public Schools, where she provided culturally courageous leadership to support the comprehensive improvement efforts of a network of 11 schools. Dr. Torres-Rodriguez also taught social and behavioral science at Capital Community College and served students and families at Goodwin Technical High School as a School Social Worker.

Dr. Torres-Rodriguez received a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut. She also earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. She is a proud resident of Hartford, where she lives with her husband and two sons.

 

Watch Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez’s thoughtful conversations with students, teachers, colleagues, and community partners.

Superintendent Update – June 2, 2023

Superintendent Update – May 26, 2023

Superintendent Update – May 19, 2023

Superintendent Update – May 12, 2023

Superintendent Update – May 5, 2023

 Superintendent Update – April 28, 2023

 Superintendent Update – April 24, 2023

Superintendent Update – April 14, 2023

Superintendent Update – April 6, 2023

Superintendent Update – March 31, 2023

Superintendent Update – March 24, 2023

 Superintendent Update – March 17, 2023

Superintendent Update – March 10, 2023

Superintendent Update – March 3, 2023

Superintendent Update – February 24, 2023

 Superintendent Update – February 17, 2023

Superintendent Update – February 10, 2023

 Superintendent Update – February 3, 2023

Statement from the Superintendent: The Tragic Death of Tyre Nichols

Superintendent Update – January 27, 2023

Superintendent Update – January 20, 2023

 Superintendent Update – January 13, 2023

A New Year Message of Gratitude and Celebration

Superintendent Update – December 16, 2022

Superintendent Update – December 9, 2022

Superintendent Update – December 2, 2022

Superintendent Update – November 18, 2022

 Superintendent Update – November 11, 2022

Honoring All Who Served on Veterans Day

Superintendent Update – November 4, 2022

Superintendent Update – October 28, 2022

Superintendent Update – October 21, 2022

 Superintendent Update – October 14, 2022

 Superintendent Update – October 7, 2022: Growing Together

Superintendent Update – September 30, 2022

Superintendent Update – September 23, 2022

 Superintendent Update – September 16, 2022

Superintendent Update – September 9, 2022

Superintendent Update – September 2, 2022

 Superintendent Update – August 26, 2022

Superintendent Update – August 19, 2022

Superintendent Update – August 5, 2022

Superintendent Update – July 8, 2022

Superintendent Update June 24, 2022

Superintendent Update – June 17, 2022

Superintendent Update – June 10, 2022

Celebrating Pride Month 2022

Superintendent Update – May 27, 2022

Superintendent Update – May 20, 2022

Superintendent Update – May 13, 2022

Superintendent Update – May 6, 2022

Superintendent Update – April 29, 2022

Superintendent Update – April 22, 2022

Superintendent Update – April 14, 2022

Superintendent Update April 8, 2022

Superintendent Update – April 1, 2022

International Transgender Day of Visibility

Superintendent Update – March 25, 2022

Superintendent Update – March 18, 2022

Superintendent Update – March 11, 2022

International Women’s Day

Superintendent Update – March 4, 2022

National School Social Work Week

Superintendent Message about National Reading Month

Superintendent’s Update February 25, 2022

Superintendent’s Update – February 18, 2022

Superintendent’s Statement on Passage of the 2022-2023 District Budget

Superintendent Update – February 11, 2022

Share Your Voice: The HPS February 2022 Culture and Climate Survey for FAMILIES – EXTENDED DEADLINE!

The CT Seal of Biliteracy 2022 for High School Seniors

Superintendent’s Message: Celebrating Black History Month

Superintendent’s Update January 21, 2022

Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Superintendent Update – January 14, 2022

Important Message from the Superintendent: Student Medical Emergency at Sport and Medical Sciences Academy

Update: N95 and KN95 Masks for Students, N95 Masks for Staff

Superintendent Update – January 7, 2022

Superintendent Update – January 5, 2022

Superintendent Update – December 31, 2021

A Holiday Message from the Superintendent 

Superintendent Update – December 17, 2021

A Message from Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez: TikTok Challenge: School Threats

Superintendent Update – December 10, 2021

Superintendent Update – December 3, 2021

A Thanksgiving Message from Superintendent Torres-Rodriguez

Celebrating Our Substitute Teachers

Superintendent Update – November 12, 2021

Honoring All Who Served on Veterans Day

Update Regarding Quarantine Requirements: Screen and Stay Initiative Effective Monday November 8

Celebrating National School Psychology Week

Superintendent Update – October 15, 2021

Superintendent Update – October 8, 2021

Honoring our Educators on World Teachers’ Day

Superintendent Update – October 1, 2021

National Principals Month 2021: Celebrating our School Leaders!

ONE WEEK LEFT!!! The HPS Fall 2021 Culture and Climate Survey for FAMILIES

Superintendent Update – September 24, 2021

Message from the Superintendent: Board Meeting Questions and Follow-up

Superintendent Update – September 17, 2021

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

Superintendent Update – September 10, 2021

9/11 Anniversary Message from Superintendent Torres-Rodriguez

Labor Day Message from the Superintendent Honoring Hartford Public Schools’ Staff

Back to School Message from HPS Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

Superintendent Update – August 13, 2021

Hartford Public Schools End-of-Year Message of Gratitude and Celebration

Superintendent Weekly Update – June 11, 2021

Superintendent Weekly Update – April 23, 2021

Statement from the Superintendent: Verdict in George Floyd Murder Case

Superintendent Weekly Update 4/15/21

REMINDER: We Need Your Feedback! Hartford Public Schools New Three-Year Plan

Superintendent Weekly Update 4/9/21

Celebrating National Assistant Principals Week

Superintendent Weekly Update – April 1, 2021

Superintendent Weekly Update Return of Remote-Only Students and More

Return of Remote-Only Students Follow-Up and Frequently Asked Questions

Return of Remote Learners to In-Person Learning Beginning Monday, March 29, 2021

HPS Statement of Solidarity with Our AAPI Students and Community

Weekly Update from the Superintendent – February 26, 2021

The CT Seal of Biliteracy 2021

Update from the Superintendent 01/29/21

Superintendent’s Message: Celebrating Black History Month

Update from the Superintendent

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Update from the Superintendent

Update from the Superintendent

Message from the Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

Celebrating Our Shared Accomplishments

Student Meal Distribution: Seven Days of Meals on Tuesday, December 22

Community Update from the Superintendent

Update from the Superintendent

Share your Feedback with Hartford Public Schools

Return-to-Learn Update

Coronavirus Update: Student Meals and Continuity of Learning

Celebrating National Nutrition Month

A Holiday Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

HPS Superintendent Talks Education Equity with Hartford Foundation

HPS Superintendent Honored as “Woman of Distinction”

Giving Thanks and Giving Back

Honoring our Veterans

Our Students Are Watching: A Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez & Our Board of Education

Nuestros estudiantes están mirando: un mensaje de la Dra. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez y nuestra Junta de Educación

An Important Attendance Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

Back-to-School Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

Our Superintendent’s Message about Protecting our Immigrant Families and Educating All Children

Summer Message and Resources from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

A Message about the 2019-2020 School Year Budget from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

HPS Announces Series of Videos to Showcase the District Model for Excellence

A Message of Appreciation for our Teachers from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

Superintendent’s Message for Paraprofessional Appreciation Day

Spring Back into Learning on April 15th!

School Safety Message from the Superintendent

A Black History Month Message from the Superintendent

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Message from our Superintendent

A Holiday Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

Op-Ed: The Hartford Courant, Nov. 28, 2018: High goals transforming Hartford’s schools

Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving

Veterans Day Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

October is National Principals Month

A Message about Attendance Awareness from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

2018 Smarter Balance Test Results Reveal Progress in Mathematics and English Language Arts

Back-to-School 2018 Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

A Summer Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

An Open Letter of Appreciation to our School Administrators, Teachers, and School Staff Members from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez

Superintendent’s Report

A Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, January 24, 2018

Message from our Superintendent, January 3, 2018

Invitation from Dr. Torres-Rodriguez to her Presentation of Restructuring Recommendations to The Board of Education

Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodríguez June 2017

Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodríguez May 2017

Special Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodríguez April 2017

Superintendent’s Message from Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodríguez March 2017

A Statement about the Budget from Acting Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodríguez

A Martin Luther King Jr. Day Message from your Superintendent

A Holiday Message from your Superintendent

A Message to our Community from Acting Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez